Mirrors
05-10-19, 12:58 PM
#1
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Mirrors
This may be an old topic and I hope it does not reflect badly on me. There used to be some very nice Myrrcle mirrors that worked on old style Shimano STI shifters. I have been looking for a replacement for those.
Zefal appears to have a large bar end mirror that appears effective. Any experience with these or another good mirror? Preferably for use with drop bars.
Mirrors on the Zefal page
Zefal appears to have a large bar end mirror that appears effective. Any experience with these or another good mirror? Preferably for use with drop bars.
Mirrors on the Zefal page
05-10-19, 01:44 PM
#2
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I loved the Mountain Mirrycle mirrors when I had bikes with flat bars. Nothing comes close to the view those give you. For drop bars, I can't stomach the tacked-on nature of their offerings. The best I've found for drop bars is the Sprintech drop bar mirror.
I've tried a couple of other bar end mirrors, and this one has the least distorted view IMO. The image is pretty small, but it's good enough to give you a hint as to what's behind you so you can decide whether or not it's worth turning your head and upper body to look directly.
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05-10-19, 02:08 PM
#3
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There are mirrors for flat bars and for road bars, but what about the rest of us? I have a Jones loop bar on one bike, and north road bars on the other, and I can't seem to find a mirror that reflects anything but my arm.
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05-10-19, 02:11 PM
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I've never used a mirror on a bike.
Can you really see in a handlebar mounted mirror or do they vibrate so much that the mirror just has a blur?
Can you really see in a handlebar mounted mirror or do they vibrate so much that the mirror just has a blur?
05-10-19, 02:23 PM
#5
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I have never seen the value in a bicycle mirror. I will hear the traffic coming anyway and I'm not in control of the other vehicle, so what purpose does a mirror serve?
05-10-19, 02:24 PM
#6
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You put them on your helmet.
image by Stuart Black, on Flickr
DSCN1243 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
IMG_2283 by Stuart Black, on Flickr
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05-10-19, 02:29 PM
#7
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Clear image?
I use the end mounted drop bar type-- I can at least see the color of the F150 that is squeezing me into the shoulder!
I like to use a mirror for the security it provides ev3n though the image is shakey. I once viewed an approaching vehicle that was taking up the entire mirror-I pulled off the road and stopped to let the house mover continue on his way unobstructed by a mere cyclist--there was no warning and no advance vehicle. Just a house traveling at 40mph taking up the whole road.
I like to use a mirror for the security it provides ev3n though the image is shakey. I once viewed an approaching vehicle that was taking up the entire mirror-I pulled off the road and stopped to let the house mover continue on his way unobstructed by a mere cyclist--there was no warning and no advance vehicle. Just a house traveling at 40mph taking up the whole road.
05-10-19, 02:38 PM
#8
-
This may be an old topic and I hope it does not reflect badly on me. There used to be some very nice Myrrcle mirrors that worked on old style Shimano STI shifters. I have been looking for a replacement for those. Zefal appears to have a large bar end mirror that appears effective. Any experience with these or another good mirror? Preferably for use with drop bars.
Helmet-mounted mirrors work a little better than bike-mounted mirrors, because when you change position/posture you can usually tilt your head momentarily for a quick rear view. Additionally, a helmet mirror goes with you when you change bikes.
I've used the Cycleaware Reflex for years, it's a decent helmet mirror. If you leave the helmet in a hot car the 3M adhesive mounting pad will become unstuck, and the mirror falls off. A dab of Krazy glue will fix this. A hidden safety feature of this mirror is the mirror arm, which is steel wire covered by a thick layer of rubber. This rubber coating precludes the possibility of the wire arm causing a face or eye injury in the event of a bike crash. I starting using the Reflex mirror after someone posted a pic of their Take-a-look mirror dangling from their cheek, where the wire arm had been bent around and embedded into their face after a tumble on the bike.
Don't expect any mirror to give you a good rear view all the time - they are all a little fussy and work only OK in the best of times - but better than nothing, and safer than doing the "sorta looking backwards while moving forwards" thing.
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05-10-19, 02:45 PM
#9
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I use a beer view mirror. It is invaluable.
05-10-19, 02:55 PM
#10
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I have the mirrycle bar end mirror on my drop bar end. Can adjust to virtually any position and very happy with it.
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05-10-19, 03:13 PM
#11
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I have a Mirrycle bar end mirror on my drop bars and wouldn't trade it for anything. Clarity is 2nd to none. To answer the question of it vibrating, I have never had that problem - though a true road bike with high pressure skinny tires may be different
It appears that Mirrycle still makes the Shimano STI mount mirrors if that is what you're looking for. https://www.mirrycle.com/product/mirrycle-road-mirror/
It appears that Mirrycle still makes the Shimano STI mount mirrors if that is what you're looking for. https://www.mirrycle.com/product/mirrycle-road-mirror/
Last edited by medic75; 05-10-19 at 03:42 PM.
05-10-19, 03:21 PM
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Depends on your road. I used and loved my flat bar end mirror until I changed bars. There is some jiggling, but I'm not trying to read license plates, and I like being able to see what's coming, often before I can hear it.
05-10-19, 03:27 PM
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I can see why people don't like mirrors. Most of them just don't work well.
The exception is a helmet mounted mirror. I can't commute without one. Get a helmet mounted mirror. Its the only way to go.
Commuting was fun, until they invented cell phones. Now I need to know what is going on behind me. It as if 1/10th of the drivers are drunk as being on a cell phone has the same effect.
The exception is a helmet mounted mirror. I can't commute without one. Get a helmet mounted mirror. Its the only way to go.
Commuting was fun, until they invented cell phones. Now I need to know what is going on behind me. It as if 1/10th of the drivers are drunk as being on a cell phone has the same effect.
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05-10-19, 04:00 PM
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I've used a handlebar mirror for many years, attaches to hoods. Works great, can see clearly, etc. Don't commute without it as it allows for much smoother interaction with other drivers.
05-10-19, 04:01 PM
#15
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I can see why people don't like mirrors. Most of them just don't work well.
The exception is a helmet mounted mirror. I can't commute without one. Get a helmet mounted mirror. Its the only way to go.
Commuting was fun, until they invented cell phones. Now I need to know what is going on behind me. It as if 1/10th of the drivers are drunk as being on a cell phone has the same effect.
The exception is a helmet mounted mirror. I can't commute without one. Get a helmet mounted mirror. Its the only way to go.
Commuting was fun, until they invented cell phones. Now I need to know what is going on behind me. It as if 1/10th of the drivers are drunk as being on a cell phone has the same effect.
If I have parked cars on both sides of the street and two way traffic in addition, I don't have anytime for a rearward mirror.
05-10-19, 04:37 PM
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I have never seen the value in a bicycle mirror. I will hear the traffic coming anyway and I'm not in control of the other vehicle, so what purpose does a mirror serve?
I ride in constant traffic. Either passing or getting passed constantly. A mirror would simply be a distraction but maybe you're conditions are different.
If I have parked cars on both sides of the street and two way traffic in addition, I don't have anytime for a rearward mirror.
If I have parked cars on both sides of the street and two way traffic in addition, I don't have anytime for a rearward mirror.
Thanks for your reply, @Jerrys88. When I was hit from behind, it was on a wide, low-volume, well-lit residential road at about 9 PM in June, by a “distracted driver.” The route was so calm that I was not closely monitoring my rearward view. In fact, though perhaps I could have ditched the bike, I’m glad I didn’t see it coming if I was going to get hit anyways [PTSD].
I once read a comment that one should practice doing "bunny hops" so at least you could jump a curb if present on your right.
Obviously that’s the ultimate use of a mirror, and now I monitor rearwards more frequently. So hopefully being aware of the situation behind, even when not in immediate danger, allows the rider to avoid a dangerous situation, even by pulling off the road. And other than my accident, I’ve never had the need to bail out.
IMO, besides routine monitoring rearwards with the mirror, a most important use is to make quick decisions when encountering an obstacle in front of you, such as a car door, pothole, car entering your path, etc. Can you immediately veer left?
Mirror threads are often popcorn threads, and I’m always dismayed when subscribers blithely write, often directed towards newbies, that you don’t need a mirror and it doesn’t help anyways. Why discourage such a simple piece of equipment? I’ve tried to think of the dangers of a mirror, and the best I’ve come up with is poking your eye with an eyeglass or helmet mounted mirror; or being too distracted by it, for example if you can’t really get used to it.
Personally, I use an eyeglass mounted Take-a-Look mirror that allows me to maintain a forward-looking head position with just a sideward glance to see the rear. I really don’t want to turn my head for an over shoulder glance away from the line of travel when speeding downhill on a pothole-strewn road with heavy traffic to my left and parked cars to my right. Furthermore, wind noise can sometimes obscure the sound of a passing car.
I find mirrors so easy to use, and so helpful that I wear both right and left (link).
I once read a comment that one should practice doing "bunny hops" so at least you could jump a curb if present on your right.
Obviously that’s the ultimate use of a mirror, and now I monitor rearwards more frequently. So hopefully being aware of the situation behind, even when not in immediate danger, allows the rider to avoid a dangerous situation, even by pulling off the road. And other than my accident, I’ve never had the need to bail out.
IMO, besides routine monitoring rearwards with the mirror, a most important use is to make quick decisions when encountering an obstacle in front of you, such as a car door, pothole, car entering your path, etc. Can you immediately veer left?
Mirror threads are often popcorn threads, and I’m always dismayed when subscribers blithely write, often directed towards newbies, that you don’t need a mirror and it doesn’t help anyways. Why discourage such a simple piece of equipment? I’ve tried to think of the dangers of a mirror, and the best I’ve come up with is poking your eye with an eyeglass or helmet mounted mirror; or being too distracted by it, for example if you can’t really get used to it.
Personally, I use an eyeglass mounted Take-a-Look mirror that allows me to maintain a forward-looking head position with just a sideward glance to see the rear. I really don’t want to turn my head for an over shoulder glance away from the line of travel when speeding downhill on a pothole-strewn road with heavy traffic to my left and parked cars to my right. Furthermore, wind noise can sometimes obscure the sound of a passing car.
I find mirrors so easy to use, and so helpful that I wear both right and left (link).
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05-10-19, 04:47 PM
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Like some others here, I find the (Third Eye for me) helmet-mounted mirror a godsend. I see other commuting riders being very tentative with their maneuvers in traffic, not knowing what is coming up behind them; having good rear vision gives me much more confidence.
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05-10-19, 06:48 PM
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For myself and my riding, I would rather have a mirror than a helmet. Mirrycle on my hybrid. Bush and Mueller 901/2 on my drop bar.
05-18-19, 08:12 AM
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I won't ride without a mirror. I probably look at the mirror just as much as ahead, if not more. Part of that is a function of the route I use.
On my drop bars I find the bar ends don't clear the pannier.
I use this, I can get it out far enough to see around the pannier. - https://www.treefortbikes.com/Axiom-...r-Mirror-Super
Yeah there's vibration, but as said earlier, I'm not trying to read license numbers, just see what's coming.
I tried a helmet mirror and didn't like it as well as it blocked some forward view.
On my drop bars I find the bar ends don't clear the pannier.
I use this, I can get it out far enough to see around the pannier. - https://www.treefortbikes.com/Axiom-...r-Mirror-Super
Yeah there's vibration, but as said earlier, I'm not trying to read license numbers, just see what's coming.
I tried a helmet mirror and didn't like it as well as it blocked some forward view.
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05-18-19, 07:57 PM
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Mirrors dramatically improve situational awareness. This one is my favorite:
EVT Safe Zone Bicycle Helmet Mirror https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003LVHZ4O..._mFl4CbR5FSCZW
EVT Safe Zone Bicycle Helmet Mirror https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003LVHZ4O..._mFl4CbR5FSCZW
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05-18-19, 11:32 PM
#22
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I didn't use a mirror untill a year ago. Now i can say that it contributes to a more safe commute. I use it as a secondary level of protection. I still turn my head when for example i want to turn on a junction.
I use a Mirrycle mirror, quite pricey here in Europe. But it is solid. I quess there are other decent brands outhere.
That is definitely true.
I use a Mirrycle mirror, quite pricey here in Europe. But it is solid. I quess there are other decent brands outhere.
I can see why people don't like mirrors. Most of them just don't work well.
The exception is a helmet mounted mirror. I can't commute without one. Get a helmet mounted mirror. Its the only way to go.
Commuting was fun, until they invented cell phones. Now I need to know what is going on behind me. It as if 1/10th of the drivers are drunk as being on a cell phone has the same effect.
The exception is a helmet mounted mirror. I can't commute without one. Get a helmet mounted mirror. Its the only way to go.
Commuting was fun, until they invented cell phones. Now I need to know what is going on behind me. It as if 1/10th of the drivers are drunk as being on a cell phone has the same effect.
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05-19-19, 01:16 AM
#23
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I ride in constant traffic. Either passing or getting passed constantly. A mirror would simply be a distraction but maybe you're conditions are different.
If I have parked cars on both sides of the street and two way traffic in addition, I don't have anytime for a rearward mirror.
If I have parked cars on both sides of the street and two way traffic in addition, I don't have anytime for a rearward mirror.
No. At least I couldn't that's why I got rid of mine and switch to an eyeglass mount. I tried the helmet mount too (it was larger mirror) but it turned out to be too gangly.
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05-19-19, 09:01 AM
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No, my handlebar mounted mirrors do not noticeably vibrate and the image is quite clear and not blurred at all.
You could try it and not take BF Enthusiasts'Conventional Wisdom as the final word on the subject.
05-19-19, 09:19 AM
#25
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I was about to start looking for a mirror for my new bike, I have the Mirrcylle on my road bike, when while picking up some new grips came across a mirror by EVO. It clamps on to the bar like the old motorcycle mirrors but is much lighter. I have mine on the outer edge of my bar and I wish the mirrors on my motorcycle gave as good a view.
